he was undergoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was undergoing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is experiencing or going through a process, change, or condition. Example: "During the treatment, he was undergoing significant physical and emotional changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was undergoing treatment".

The Guardian

He was undergoing a profound change.

The Guardian

He was perfectly aware that he was undergoing an evaluation.

The Guardian

He was undergoing treatment at Melwood, Liverpool's training ground, today.

The Times

He had claimed he was undergoing family problems.

The Guardian - Sport

The next day, he was undergoing heart-bypass surgery.

The New York Times

He was undergoing chemotherapy even though it made him sick.

The Guardian - Books

"It was Sunday, and he was undergoing examinations," he said.

The New York Times

You knew that he was undergoing treatment for cancer?

The New Yorker

Mr. Arreaza, his son-in-law, said Friday that he was undergoing palliative treatment.

The New York Times

Khan, while he was undergoing routine checks in hospital, did not lack for friends afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was undergoing" to describe a formal or medical process, such as surgery or treatment. It adds a level of seriousness and objectivity.

Common error

Avoid using "undergo" in the active voice when the subject is not the one experiencing the process. For example, instead of "He underwent surgery on the patient", say "He performed surgery on the patient".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was undergoing" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically using the past continuous tense of the verb 'undergo'. It describes an action or process that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was undergoing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe an ongoing process or experience in the past. As verified by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in news and media, and science. While alternatives like "he was experiencing" or "he was going through" exist, "he was undergoing" is particularly suitable for formal or medical contexts, emphasizing seriousness and objectivity. Remember to use it when the subject is actively experiencing the process and to avoid misusing "undergo" in the active voice when the subject is not the one experiencing the process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was experiencing

Replaces "undergoing" with "experiencing", emphasizing the direct sensation or encounter with a situation.

he was going through

Uses the phrasal verb "going through" to highlight the process or ordeal aspect.

he was receiving

Emphasizes the act of being given or administered something, like treatment.

he was in the process of

Highlights the stage or phase of an action or event.

he was subject to

Indicates that he was affected by or exposed to something, often involuntarily.

he was participating in

Focuses on involvement or active engagement in a process.

he was being subjected to

Highlights the act of being forced to endure something.

he was coping with

Emphasizes the effort to manage or deal with a difficult situation.

he was dealing with

Implies handling or managing a situation, often with a problem-solving approach.

he was facing

Focuses on confronting or dealing with a challenge or situation.

FAQs

How do I use "he was undergoing" in a sentence?

"He was undergoing" is used to describe someone experiencing a process or treatment. For example, "He was undergoing chemotherapy" or "He was undergoing a significant transformation".

What can I say instead of "he was undergoing"?

Alternatives include "he was experiencing", "he was going through", or "he was receiving", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he underwent" instead of "he was undergoing"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "he underwent" implies a completed action, whereas "he was undergoing" suggests an ongoing process. For example, "he underwent surgery" suggests the surgery is finished, while "he was undergoing surgery" implies the surgery was in progress.

What's the difference between "he was undergoing" and "he was being subjected to"?

"He was undergoing" generally implies a chosen or necessary process, while "he was being subjected to" suggests something unpleasant or involuntary. For instance, "He was undergoing treatment" is neutral, but "He was being subjected to torture" implies abuse.